IPCPR 2013: Dante

We’ve reviewed a pair of Dante’s releases: Canto I The Imp and Canto IV: Toro, so we figured it was worth a visit to their IPCPR booth. Brooks’ review of the Canto I The Imp has a substantial amount of background about the brand, including a mention of the new lines that were scheduled to debut at the show.

As for the core line, the 7 x 50 Canto V Churchill and 5 1/2 x 60 Canto VII Gordo were the two new sizes on display as the line grows to its promised nine sizes, which references the nine circles of hell in Dante’s Inferno.

The eighth and ninth sizes, a Lancero and Belicoso Gordo, are also in the works, though not on display. The biggest difference between the sizes is the intensity of sweet, savory and spice notes.

The Vita Nova line was also in the display case; the name means “new life” and it’s a Nicaraguan puro using a Corojo ’99 wrapper with binder and filler from the Estelí and Jalapa regions. It doesn’t have as much spice at the beginning as the core line, but still delivers a good bit of flavor. It will be available in three sizes: Canto III Robusto, Canto IV Toro and Canto VI Corona Gorda, all which come in cedar cabinet boxes. Like the core line, it will eventually grow to nine sizes.